​Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has admitted he'd like to keep hold of striker Gonzalo Higuain despite reports linking the Argentine forward with a move to Chelsea.

Higuain, 31, moved to San Siro on loan alongside Mattia Caldara over the summer, in a deal which saw Leonardo Bonucci return to Juventus. The striker has struggled for the Rossoneri this season though, scoring eight goals in 20 games across all competitions.

Speaking ahead of ​Milan's Coppa Italia game against Sampdoria, as quoted by ​Goal, Gattuso said: "Higuain? Gonzalo has presented himself well. I hope that he stays here as long as possible; if it's not like this, we'll see. It will not be a problem for me."

Gennaro Gattuso on Gonzalo Higuain:

"I hope that he stays here as long as possible; if it's not like this, we'll see. It will not be a problem for me."  pic.twitter.com/R4SlYXYxPX

Milan currently find themselves fifth in Serie A, just a point and place behind SS Lazio in fourth, with the club targeting a top four finish to secure Champions League football for next season, as Gattuso is under pressure to keep his job at San Siro.

He added: "Paqueta is a sharp player, a player with precise characteristics. He seems like a European player, not a Brazilian, he has a Brazilian style of play but he knows the field well, he has physical quality. His head works well even in a tactical sense. This is something important that I am surprised about."